Mixed Reality Training for Chronic Stroke Patients (MERIT) (RPA Pilot / Seed Project)

"Despite advances in medical care and treatment, stroke remains a leading cause of long-term disability. While many patients may continue to show functional improvement more than a year poststroke, access to outpatient therapies conducive to neuroplastic changes (salient, repetitive, intensive, and frequent interventions) may be
limited due to insurance coverage. Additionally, the recent COVID-19 pandemic has created its own barriers to treatment, with many patients opting to forgo in-person therapy due to fear of exposure to COVID-19. With the increased utilization of telemedicine, patients are more open than ever to explore novel technology during their course of treatment. One technology platform that has demonstrated favorable results, and lends itself well to telemedicine, is the use of virtual reality (VR). Previous research has demonstrated the rehabilitative benefits of VR on motor function and balance in stroke patients. Additionally, VR has demonstrated promising cognitive and motor benefits in nonclinical populations, leading researchers to explore VR’s cognitive rehabilitation efficacy in stroke populations."